Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were unsure about the availability of their explosive opener Phil Salt for the IPL 2025 final. Salt had skipped training on the eve of the big match, sparking reports that he might miss the clash.

The uncertainty arose because Salt had flown back to England after Qualifier 1 to be with his wife, Abi, for the birth of their first child on June 1. Although he wanted to be present for both his family and his team, Abi insisted he should not miss another final, telling him to return to India immediately.

“I was in Ahmedabad two days before the final, and got a phone call off the missus to say it was definitely happening,” Salt told ESPN. “I got on the plane as quickly as I could. Abi kicked me out the door, basically. She said, 'You have to play'. She made the decision for me, which was very funny – and very selfless of her.”

Salt’s IPL Journey and Match Impact

Salt’s determination to play was strengthened by missing the 2024 final with Kolkata Knight Riders due to national duty, an absence he admitted had hurt him as KKR went on to win the title. Landing in Ahmedabad on the morning of the final, Salt scored a quick 16 off 9 balls and took a stunning catch, helping RCB defeat Punjab Kings to claim their first-ever IPL trophy after 18 attempts. This marked Salt’s second consecutive IPL title, having won with KKR in 2024.

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Prior to the final, Salt was one of RCB's best players in IPL 2025, having scored 387 runs over 12 matches at an average of 35.18 and a strike rate of 175.90. In Qualifier 1, his unbeaten innings of 56 in 27 deliveries showed that he could win the match for his side. Since making his debut with Delhi Capitals in 2023, Salt has become one of the IPL’s most explosive openers and made 1,056 runs in 34 innings at a strike rate of 176 over three seasons.